With a distinguished career spanning over a decade with the City of Philadelphia, Sharpe's most recent position was Interim Deputy Mayor/Director of the Department of Planning and Development. In this role, she led collaborative efforts with diverse stakeholders, including elected officials, developers, and communities to enhance, plan, preserve, and develop vibrant neighbourhoods across the city. Under her leadership, the department implemented key initiatives across multiple divisions, including Housing and Community Development, Development Services, and Planning & Zoning, which encompass the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, the Philadelphia Historical Commission, the Philadelphia Art Commission, and the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

 

Throughout her tenure, Sharpe held progressively responsible roles, starting as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the City Planning Commission, advancing to Deputy Director of the City Planning Commission, and eventually serving as the Executive Director of the Commission from 2016 to 2023. Notably, in 2020, she initiated the groundbreaking "Planning and Equity: A Commitment to Change" initiative, aimed at addressing historical injustices within the planning profession, particularly within communities of color. Her pledge has gained widespread support from planning directors across the United States.

 

Sharpe's academic background includes a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Howard University and a Master's in City Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to her impactful work in the public sector, she has contributed to academia as an adjunct professor in city planning and architecture at Temple University, Drexel University, and the University of Pennsylvania over the past two decades.

NLA Awards International Jury Member